On My Bedside {From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler}

When I shared a snippet of From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler in my to-read stack, I was overwhelmed with messages and comments saying “that was my favorite childhood book”! A week or so later, and before I had even started it, I volunteered to help Whit’s teacher organize the library in her new classroom. I came across the book in her stack and brought it home for Whit. He was excited to join me in reading it in our own little book club – kicking off that very night. (Although, he is sure we can’t have a club with just two people…)

In this winner of the Newbery Medal from E.L. Konigsburg, when suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn’t just want to run from somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere—to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant.

Claudia knew that she could never pull off the old-fashioned kind of running away…so she decided not to run FROM somewhere, but TO somewhere. And so, after some careful planning, she and her younger brother, Jamie, escaped — right into a mystery that made headlines!

The book was absolutely delightful and we both enjoyed every single page. We had some wonderful breakfast conversations over the couple of weeks that it took us to both finish, and I can see why so many of you adore this one. Whether you are looking for something for your little one, or just an easy read for yourself, this one has stood the test of time.

DAILY DELIGHT VIDEOS

Whit and I enjoyed it so much that we now have visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art on our New York trip itinerary later this month. If you live near the city or will be visiting, we downloaded and printed this old MET Kids: The Mixed Up Files Issue to take with us. Many of the artifacts mentioned in the book are no longer on display at the museum, but it gives a great, easy to follow guide on things to look for and do on your museum visit and we both think it will make it 1,000 times more fun!

Loved this book as a child! I thought I spotted it in your delightful-looking new tub picture, but I couldn’t make out the title for sure on my laptop w/o my readers! Ha! Another Newbery Medal winner, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C O’Brien, was also a treasured story from my grade school days! Have you read that one?

One of my all-time very favorite books. My fourth grade teacher read it aloud to our class and I was hooked (1968-the year it was published! I told you I’m old….). The first time I went to the Metropolitan Museum, I wandered around and envisioned Claudia and Jamie in my head. I’m so glad y’all are going to visit the Met and do the activities, even though some of the artifacts are no longer there. I promise y’all will love it! Wish I was back in NYC right now.

Love that you are reading it with him! I forgot about that book and will have to get it to read with my 11 year old. We’ve been listening to books on Audible together while we are in the car.(I feel like we are alwYs in the car!) Sometimes we listen on my phone in the house if the book stopped at a good part.

When I taught school this was one of the books I could always count on to entice children to read when they really did not want to! My go to book for boys was The Hatchet by Gary Paulson. I think your boys would enjoy reading it, especially John as the boy in the story is 13.

Thanks Amanda! This was one of my favorites and I also read it with my mom. My grandmother lived in Manhattan when I was a child and each time I went to the Metropolitan museum I envisioned Claudia there. I haven’t thought about this book in so long but am going to order it for my 4th grade daughter now.